Spurred on by Jon Turner's sightings, Bob and I went in search of some Med. Gulls. Starting at Llansantffraed, there were 3 adults, and 1 first and 1 second summer birds. Also back early from their breeding grounds, were 2 Common Gulls, hardly ever seen here much before late July.
At nearby Llanon, on the field mentioned by Jon, were an adult and 3 first summer Med. Gulls.
Up at Ty Gwyn Pool there appeared to quite a number of adults and younger birds but before we could count them a shot-gun blast caused all the birds there to take off, all returning except for the Med. Gulls. The Lapwings were easier to count whiule in the air; about 60. Also present, a Green Sandpiper and a Greenshank, more early return-passage waders.
These Med. Gulls are returning from their breeding areas, mainly from the continent and later, in July, we should start seeing some of this season's juvenile birds.
Many Med. Gull seen in Ceredigion have large colour rings and should anyone note the colour and the code letters or numbers on the ring, google EURING and send them the details. It acts as a clearing house for bird ring sightings and eventually the finder is sent a history of the bird in question.
eg for many years Green 31Y from Antwerp has turned up on the beach at Borth by the toilet block between July and January.
British ringed birds, from southern England, have yellow rings and are hardly ever if at all seen here. Birds from these countries have turned up: Belgium with green rings with code starting with 3 or white rings starting with 3 or E; France, green starting with R; Germany, green starting with A; and Poland, red starting with P.
